The US President Pressures the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
